Motorcraft Spark Plugs

[tcp71]

For our 2017 Explorer w/2.3 EcoBoost the factory plugs are Motorcraft SP-537, Iridium plugs. The replacement plugs are Motorcraft SP-550, Platinum plugs. I replaced the plugs last year and used the SP-537 plugs. I don't see those plugs any more, only the SP-550. If you want Iridium I guess you need to buy the NGK plugs that are the equivalent of the SP-537, NGK lists them as OEM plugs on their site, I don't remember the part #, sorry. You would think with a GDI turbo engine Ford would stick with the factory Iridium plugs.

SP-550s are iridium center electrode with platinum ground strap. I use them in my 3.5 TT.


More Information for MOTORCRAFT SP550
{Alternate Inventory Numbers: SP550X, CYFS12YPCT}

[IMG alt="/www.rockauto.com/catalog/images/prevIMGbig.png[/IMG] 1 / 3 Point to Zoom MOTORCRAFT SP550 Specifications Center Electrode Core Material Copper Center Electrode Tip Material Iridium Electrode Metal Platinum Hex Size 0.63 Insulator Height 2.32

 

[14Accent]

Just for fun I checked the Ford Explorer 2022 owners manual to see if Ford moved on to Iridium plugs for the 3.3 Twin Turbo. Nope, it’s still the SP-520 Platinum plug. Not sure why Ford is still specifying Platinum plugs while GM moved on to Iridium over 10 years ago.

Why did Chrysler stick with copper plugs for so long, up to at least 2007 in the 4.7 V8. OEM's know what's best for their engines.

As an aside: a couple weeks ago I decided to pull a plug on my current Jeep just out of curiosity. No issues, but at 250k I wanted to know if it still had the OEM spec copper core plugs in it. Low and behold, it had NGK Iridium IX's installed! Moral of the story: with modern engines, as long as the plug fits and runs at the same temperature as OE, it should function fine.

Another fun fact: I just looked up NGK plugs for my Jeep. RA wants $5.82/ea for the Iridium IX but $8.65 for double platinum's! Even the NGK ruthenium is 10 cents cheaper than the double plat. Regular plat's are $2.49/ea.

 

[Whimsey]

SP-550s are iridium center electrode with platinum ground strap. I use them in my 3.5 TT.


More Information for MOTORCRAFT SP550
{Alternate Inventory Numbers: SP550X, CYFS12YPCT}

[IMG alt="/www.rockauto.com/catalog/images/prevIMGbig.png[/IMG] 1 / 3 Point to Zoom MOTORCRAFT SP550 Specifications Center Electrode Core Material Copper Center Electrode Tip Material Iridium Electrode Metal Platinum Hex Size 0.63 Insulator Height 2.32

Good to know, thanks.

 

[autoapprentice]

The parts counter ended up giving me the 589. Just regular platinums.

 

[autoapprentice]

Spark plugs replaced, all looked fine. I replaced the coil boots and PCV valve as well.

Not only were the plugs overdue at 85k but there was some shuddering and jumping on acceleration. The problem didn't go away after test driving. I checked the ATF dipstick per Ford procedure and it was bone dry...added 1/2 quart of Mercon LV and the level was in spec. Still no improvement.

NAPA full synthetic and NAPA gold 7502 in and on replacing Fram full synthetic high mileage and Fram titanium.

Will borrow an in depth scan tool to possibly identify problem.